How Your Lifestyle May be Affecting Your Skin

Many of us long for a beautiful complexion and healthy skin. Our skin works hard as a barrier to the outside world, meaning factors such as stress, smoking, an unhealthy lifestyle and sunlight can damage our skin. However, there are a few things you can do to keep your skin looking radiant. 

You may be surprised to know that there is a strong connection between the health of your intestines and your skin. The microorganisms in the intestine produce substances such as ceramides, lactic acid, vitamins and hyaluronic acid which help your skin stay radiant. Within each of us is about 2 kilos of intestinal bacteria which is often known as intestinal flora. Your intestinal flora is used by the body to absorb the nutrients in food and benefits most from natural foods and antioxidants. When you feed your body fast foods and ready meals they begin to decrease, which can have a negative effect on general health, opening your body to contracting various diseases. As the number of bacteria in your intestine decreases, this throws your intestinal flora off balance, which can also promote or accelerate skin inflammation. The issue often arises from high consumption of dairy products, gluten, alcohol and coffee as this can hinder the skin. 

In order to combat this issue, the best way to start is to focus your diet on natural foods. This does not mean that you have to be religiously counting calories, but start to become aware of which nutrients have a positive effect on your body to make it feel healthy and fit. There is no such thing as a perfect diet however including fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables as well as nuts and seeds can give your body some really positive results. One of the worst substances that you can fule your body and skin with is sugar. Sugar in excess connects itself to collagen and elastic fibres of the skin, making them limp and inelastic. In addition, age spots, acne or other skin diseases can develop. Foods such as watermelon, berries, carrots, avocado, green tea, nuts and seeds, coconut yoghurt, salmon, spinach, apples, olive oil, cauliflower and broccoli are great for the complexion. 

Another big factor that contributes to the health of our skin is water consumption. Our skin needs to be padded from the inside out. As the skin consists of 30% water and the different skin layers act like a sponge and so, if it is not sufficiently supplied with water the skin becomes pale, flaccid and inelastic. If you find it difficult to drink water throughout the day, cucumber slices, various fruits or a dash of lemon can make a glass of water far more appetising. 

Furthermore, the amount and quality of your sleep can directly impact your skin when it comes to obtaining a healthy glow. As you sleep, a growth hormone is released to allow our bodies and skin to regenerate. If we sleep too little or the quality of our sleep is poor, the release of this hormone is far less efficient, leading to dark circles, pallor and thin skin which in the long term can contribute to wrinkles. It is generally said 7-8 hours of sleep is optimal. 

It has been drilled into our heads for the last 25 years that we should always apply sunscreen and this could not be more true when discussing the effects of sunlight on the skin. Spending too much time in the suns rays can enhance wrinkles later in life. Dermatologists have explained that the formation of wrinkles is 30 to 40 perfect genetic and so the rest is of our own production. However, in the modern world, it could not be easier to counteract this effect. Sunb screen has developed rapidly through the years with many beauty products now having SPF in them. To avoid overexposure to UV rays, try to stay in the shade when it warmer climates. 

Excessive stress can also lead to blemishes and dull the skin. In order to decrease your stress levels, find an activity that releases stress. This could be HIIT training, yoga or meditation. Activities as simple as going for a 15-minute walk in the fresh air can also work wonders whilst providing relaxation. Regular sweating opens the pores, allowing accumulates dirt particles to escape. Nevertheless, it is always important to clean your face after physical exertion using natural care products that are free of mineral oils, parabens and microplastics.